Remembering Mt. Washington Tavern

Mt. Washington Tavern this July (Gabe Dinsmoor/Special to the Baltimore Sun)

Erik MazaThe Baltimore Sun

A two-alarm fire that broke out at Mt. Washington Tavern this morning has all but devastated the beloved restaurant and bar. Owner Rob Frisch described it as "a total loss."

The news is not only sad for the neighborhood, where the tavern was iconic - several interviewed described it alternatively as a "landmark" and the community's "flagship" business. But unfortunate for Baltimore. The tavern was a model establishment, and its sky bar, an ideal outdoor bar.

I visited the tavern in July. The roof bar, which the tavern opens during the summer, was decorated like the set of "The Golden Girls," painted in SpongeBob yellow and cluttered with wicker chairs and potted plants. Service was warm, and the beer selection abundant - over 100 beers by the bottle, at least 20 crafts - including regional beers Dogfish Head, Heavy Seas and Fordham - as well as more than 25 imports.

Patrons were mostly past 40, though a few younger people watched an Orioles game. Where most outdoor bars - the Tiki Barge, Bay Cafe - cater to young crowds, the tavern distinguished itself with grace. It was a classy joint to sit back with some beer under the stars.

Baltimore's bar scene is no doubt hopeful Frisch isn't just being optimistic when he says he's planning on rebuilding. "We're looking at a lot of work," he said. "But we'll be back."